Drilling apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for supplying flushing water or other dust-suppressing fluid to an operative drill bit from an external source including a torque transmitting chuck adapted to cooperate with a rotary power source and a hollow drill rod, the chuck having a longitudinal chamber therein to closely receive said drill rod, with the bore of said drill rod connected to a passage between said longitudinal chamber and a peripheral channel in the outside surface of said chuck. A bearing sleeve is adapted to be received over said chuck and in close contact therewith, the bore of said bearing sleeve having a channel around the perimeter thereof aligned with the channel of said chuck and a passage through the wall of said sleeve connecting said sleeve channel to its external surface, said sleeve provided with a bearing surface being substantially cylindrical in cross section and adapted to receive a swivel collar thereover in close contact permitting relating rotary motion therebetween, said collar having an annular channel therein adapted to be aligned with the passage in said sleeve, and having a passage therethrough opening into said annular channel adapted to be connected to an external source of dust-suppressing fluid. Preferred embodiments of said apparatus including sealing means operating between the adjacent surfaces, drill rod, chuck, and drill rod is minimized.

United States Patent [72] Inventors Marvin J. Brooks Bluefield; Charles S. Davis, Bridgeport, both of W. Va. [21] Appl. No. 33,993 [22] Filed May 4, 1970 [4S] Patented Oct. 5, 1971 [73] Assignee Carmel Company Pittsburgh, Pa.

[54] DRILLING APPARATUS 4 Claims, 4 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 175/207, 285/ 190 [51] Int. Cl E21b21/02, 1321c 7/10 [50] Field of Search 175/207, 214, 215; 173/57; 285/190, 272

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,682,438 8/1928 Stuthridge etal 175/207 X 1,733,437 10/1929 Terry 173/57 3,000,453 9/1961 Germain. 175/214 X 3,024,030 3/1962 Koch 285/190 X 3,259,403 7/1966 l-ljalsten et al. 175/215 X 3,492,025 l/l970 Holland 285/190 X Primary Examiner-David H. Brown Attorneys-Richard A. Speer, Vincent G. Gioia and Howard R. Berkenstock, Jr.

ABSTRACT: Apparatus for supplying flushing water or other dust-suppressing fluid to an operative drill bit from an external source including a torque transmitting chuck adapted to cooperate with a rotary power source and a hollow drill rod, the chuck having a longitudinal chamber therein to closely receive said drill rod, with the bore of said drill rod connected to a passage between said longitudinal chamber and a peripheral channel in the outside surface of said chuck. A bearing sleeve is adapted to be received over said chuck and in close contact therewith, the bore of said bearing sleeve having a channel around the perimeter thereof aligned with the channel of said chuck and a passage through the wall of said sleeve connecting said sleeve channel to its external surface, said sleeve provided with a bearing surface being substantially cylindrical in cross section and adapted to receive a swivel collar thereover in close contact permitting relating rotary motion therebetween, said collar having an annular channel therein adapted to be aligned with the passage in said sleeve, and having a passage therethrough opening into said annular channel adapted to be connected to an external source of dust-suppressing fluid. Preferred embodiments of said apparatus including sealing means operating between the adjacent surfaces, drill rod, chuck, and drill rod is minimized.

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MARVIN J. BROOKS CHARLES S. DAV/8 A I rorney DRILLING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION have been established for the minimization of spreading'dust l and rock particles within the mine atmosphere to prevent contamination thereof and its potential hazards to the miner. One of the most efiective methods of minimizing the propagation of such dust is to supply flushing water or other liquid which is nonreactive with the minerals being mined or the environmental atmosphere such that the inundation of fluid in the drill bit area causes the cuttings to be moistened and trapped by the accumulating slurry and thus unable to spread through the environmental atmosphere. The moist cuttings may then be removed by conventional means, such as an auger-type drill rod which may carry the dust and cuttings suspended in the slurry outwardly of the hole being drilled. There exists within the art the problem of supplying an adequate amount of such suppressing water to the drill point such that this moistening of the cuttings can be accomplished. It will be appreciated by those familiar with the art that the drilling of minerals in situ, such as coal, requires extremely rugged equipment which is substantially insensitive to the abuse of ,vibration and shock generated in the drilling operation. The apparatus of my invention meets this foregoing need in the industry by providing a swivel chuck adapted to be received within conventional rotary-powered drilling means and capable of receiving conventional hollow auger-type drill rods and having means therein to supply the dust-suppressing fluid from an external source into the chuck means and therethrough to the hollow within the auger-type rod.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A swivel for supplying dust-suppressing fluid to a drill bit operatively drilling minerals in situ, such as coal and the like, including a torque transmitting chuck adapted at one end to engage rotary power means and having a longitudinal chamber in the other end to engage a hollow drill rod, the

chuck means having a peripheral channel intermediate at ends, the peripheral channel and longitudinal chamber being connected by a passage therebetween whereby fluid in the peripheral channel may be conveyed to the longitudinal chamber, a bearing sleeve adapted to be received over the chuck means in close contact therewith the inside surface of the bearing sleeve having a channel around its perimeter intermediate its ends and at least one passage through the wall of said sleeve opening into the channel, the sleeve further provided with a bearing surface about its periphery in the vicinity passage through the wall on the collar opening into the annular channel, indexing means to locate the collar on the bearing sleeve at the bearing surface so that the annular channel of the collar is aligned with the passage through the bearin g sleeve, and means to couple the passage in the swivel collar to an external fluid supply means whereby the fluid supplied by the means may be transmitted through the swivel collar to the annular channel therein through the bearing sleeve passage to the channel therein and the adjacent peripheral channel in the chuck means, through the passageway and the chuck means to the longitudinal chamber therein and into the hollow drill rod.

DESCRIPTION or THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the water swivel of my invention shown in relation to drilling equipment.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the water swivel of my invention.

FIG. 3 is an assembly view of FIG. 2 shown in section.

FIG. 4 is a fractional sectional view of an alternative embodiment of my invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing and FIG. 1 in particular, reference numeral 2 indicates generally the water swivel of my invention which transmits rotary motion from a rotary power source 4 such as a coal drilling machine known in the art while conveying a dust-suppressing fluid, such as water, to the drill situs. The swivel transmits this rotary motion through a chuck 5 to coal drilling means such as an auger-type drill rod 8 with drilling bit 10 attached thereto. r

Referring now also to'FIGS. 2 and 3, the elements making up the assembly, of the water swivel 2 may be more clearly described and understood. The main body of swivel 2 consists of a chuck 20 adapted at one end 22 to couple with rotary power source 4 as by the shank and socket means illustrated. Chuck 20 is adapted at the other end 24 to couple either directly to a drill rod 8 or through an adapter 6 providing sealing means thereinso that the rotary motion from rotary power source 4 may be transmitted through chuck 20 to drill rod 8 containing drill bit 10. Chuck 20 is further adapted with a longitudinal chamber 26, which in the preferred embodiment described contains a stepped region 28 to provide a seal between the drill rod 8 or adapter 60 to prevent loss of the dust-suppressing fluid. The reduced area of the longitudinal chamber 30 is connected through a means such as a passage 32 to a fluid receiving channel 34 which is disposed peripherally around chuck 20. Chuck 20 may be adapted with locking means such as a threaded hole 36 in which a setscrew may be installed to firmlysecure adapter 6 or drill rod 8 within chamber 26. Chuck 20 in the preferred embodiment is generally cylindrical in shape for the convenience of manufacturing. Chuck 20 further contains a stepped surface 38 generally in the vicinity of channel 34 to provide indexing and rigidity of mounting for bearing sleeve 40 subsequently discussed.

Bearing sleeve 40 is adapted to be closely received over chuck 20 and may be provided with sealing means 42 such as O-rings known in. the art which may be contained within pockets 44 adapted therefore. Sleeve 40 has a channel 46 within the perimeter of its bore located within sleeve 40 so that when the sleeve is in position on chuck 20, channel 46 is aligned with channel 34. Sealing means 42 is operative within sleeve 40 to retain the dust-suppressing fluid within the area between the seals and within channels 46 and 34. Further, sleeve 40 preferably has locking means such as a threaded screw hole 48 and a setscrew mounted therein to secure sleeve 40 on chuck 20 for concurrent rotation and maintain the alignment of channels 46 and 34. Bearing sleeve on its outer surface 50 is provided with bearing surface which is generally cylindrical in cross section and adapted to provide a revolving sliding seal contact with swivel collar 60, later described. Sleeve 40 in the preferred embodiment is further adapted with an indexing shoulder 52 to provide both location and support for collar 60, later described. Bearing sleeve 40 is further provided with at least one passage 54 extending from the periphery thereof into channel 46 to provide for the flow of the dust-suppressing fluid from the outer surface 50 of bearing sleeve 40 to the inner channel 46.

Collar 60 is adapted to supply the dust-suppressing fluid from an external source (not shown) to chuck 20 through bearing sleeve 40. The external source of fluid is connected to collar 60 through a passage 62 such as a hole drilled therein and adapted as with screw threads so that the external source may be securely coupled thereto. Collar 60 has a cylindrical inside surface 64 adapted to the closely received over bearing surface 50 of sleeve 40. Collar 60 may be further provided with sealing means 66 such as conventional ring seals contained within pockets 68. Bore 64 of collar 60 contains an annular channel 70 so positioned within the bore 64 wall to be aligned with passages 54 of bearing sleeve 40 when collar 60 is in posifion on sleeve 40 indexed against collar 52. Passage 62 extends through collar 60. opening into channel 70 so that the dust-suppressing fluid may be conveyed from the external source through collar 60 to channel 70, and through sleeve 40 into longitudinal bore26 by means previously discussed. Collar 60 in the preferred embodiment is held in alignment on bearing sleeve by means such as a locking ring 72 which in the preferred embodiment is a split ring containing screw threads so that it may be screwed on to cooperating threads on bearing sleeve 40. In the embodiment illustrated locking ring 72 is adapted with a split 74 bridged by an adjustable locking screw 76 cooperating with screw holes in locking ring 72 to provide a tensioning of ring 72 on sleeve 40 further securing collar 60 on bearing sleeve 40 to withstand the severe vibrations and agitations encountered in drilling of minerals in situ. With a split locking ring 72 in the preferred embodiment a bearing spacer 78 is provided between split locking nut .72 and collar 60 to prevent the split ring 72 from damaging the external surface of collar 60.

It may now be appreciated that the swivel of my invention is readily mountable on conventional drill rotary power sources. Further, the cooperating elements, e.g. chuck 20, sleeve 40 and collar 60 may be interchanged or readily replaced in the event of failure during operation materially reducing the downtime of a drill rig. Likewise, a damaged element may be replaced individually without replacement of the entire assembly reducing the cost of replacement parts.

In operation the dustsuppressing fluid, e.g., water, may be supplied from the external source not shown entering collar 60 through passage 62 being supplied to channel 70 within collar 60 and retained in the area by sealing means 66. The fluid may then be passed from channel 70 through passages 54 further to channel 46 in bearing sleeve 40. The fluid thus supplied at this point in channel 46 is made available to passages 34 and 32 in chuck 20 that it may be supplied to reduced bore 30 and longitudinal bore 26 where it may then flow through adapter 6 or drill rod 8 and conveyed by the hollow rod 8 into the area of drill bit 10. The forced flow of water into the drill bit area inundates the bit area and the dust and cuttings generated by the drill bit 10 may be suspended in the fluid and conveyed out of the drill hole by the action of the augered drill rod 8 illustrated in the preferred embodiment.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of chuck is illustrated being one'having a socket 80 on end 22 adapted to be received directly on a shank driven by rotary power means. A variety of chucks 20 having different ends 22 may be stocked to mate with different rotary power means and be coupled to like sleeves 40 and collars 60 reducing spare parts inventory costs. Likewise, other modifications may be made which difier from the preferred embodiments described which do not vary in scope from the appended claims.

We claim: v

1. Apparatus for supplying dust-suppressing fluid to a rock drilling bit during drilling comprising: torque transmitting means adapted at one end to engage rotary power means and having a longitudinal chamber in the other end to engage a hollow drill rod, said torque transmitting means having a peripheral channel intermediate its ends, said peripheral channel and longitudinal chamber having a passage therebetween whereby fluid in said peripheral channel may pass to said longitudinal chamber; a bearing sleeve adapted to be received over said torque transmitting means in close contact therewith, the inside surface of said bearing sleeve having a channel around its 'perimeter intermediate its ends and a passage through the wall of said sleeve opening into said channel, said bearing sleeve provided with a bearing surface about its periphery) in the vicinity of said passage; indexing means to locate said eanng sleeve on said torque transmlttmg means so that said channels are aligned; locking means operable with said bearing sleeve and torque transmitting means to assure concurrent rotation thereof; a swivel collar having an axial bore therethrough adapted to be closely received over said bearing sleeve at said bearing surface to permit relative rotary motion therebetween, said swivel collar having an annular channel around the perimeter of said bore and a passage through the wall of said collar opening into said annular channel; indexing means to locate said collar on said bearing sleeve at said bearing surface so that said annular channel is aligned with the passage through said bearing sleeve; and means to couple said passage in said swivel collar to external fluid supply means whereby fluid supplied by means may be transmitted through said swivel collar to said annular channel, through said bearing sleeve passage to said channel therein and the adjacent peripheral channel in said torque transmitting means, through the passage in said torque transmitting means to said longitudinal chamber therein and into said hollow drill rod.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including sealing means disposed between said torque transmitting means and said bearing sleeve and between said bearing sleeve and said swivel collar adjacent said channels to minimize the loss of fluid therebetween.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said bearing sleeve is threaded at one end and said apparatus includes a locking ring adapted to be received on said threaded portion, said locking ring provided with additional means to secure it in position on said sleeve, said bearing sleeve indexing means and said locking ring cooperating to position and secure said swivel collar on said bearing surface permitting relative rotary motion therebetween and maintaining alignment of said annular channel and bearing sleeve passages.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said locking ring is a split ring and said securing means bridges said split to tension said locking ring on said bearing sleeve. 

1. Apparatus for supplying dust-suppressing fluid to a rock drilling bit during drilling comprising: torque transmitting means adapted at one end to engage rotary power means and having a longitudinal chamber in the other end to engage a hollow drill rod, said torque transmitting means having a peripheral channel intermediate its ends, said peripheral channel and longitudinal chamber having a passage therebetween whereby fluid in said peripheral channel may pass to said longitudinal chamber; a bearing sleeve adapted to be received over said torque transmitting means in close contact therewith, the inside surface of said bearing sleeve having a channel around its perimeter intermediate its ends and a passage through the wall of said sleeve opening into said channel, said bearing sleeve provided with a bearing surface about its periphery in the vicinity of said passage; indexing means to locate said bearing sleeve on said torque transmitting means so that said channels are aligned; locking means operable with said bearing sleeve and torque transmitting means to assure concurrent rotation thereof; a swivel collar having an axial bore therethrough adapted to be closely received over said bearing sleeve at said bearing surface to permit relative rotary motion therebetween, said swivel collar having an annular channel around the perimeter of said bore and a passage through the wall of said collar opening into said annular channel; indexing means to locate said collar on said bearing sleeve at said bearing surface so that said annular channel is aligned with the passage through said bearing sleeve; and means to couple said passage in said swivel collar to external fluid supply means whereby fluid supplied by means may be transmitted through said swivel collar to said annular channel, through said bearing sleeve passage to said channel therein and the adjacent peripheral channel in said torque transmitting means, through the passage in said torque transmitting means to said longitudinal chamber therein and into said hollow drill rod.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 and including sealing means disposed between said torque transmitting means and said bearing sleeve and between said bearing sleeve and said swivel collar adjacent said channels to minimize the loss of fluid therebetween.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said bearing sleeve is threaded at one end and said apparatus includes a locking ring adapted to be received on said threaded portion, said locking rIng provided with additional means to secure it in position on said sleeve, said bearing sleeve indexing means and said locking ring cooperating to position and secure said swivel collar on said bearing surface permitting relative rotary motion therebetween and maintaining alignment of said annular channel and bearing sleeve passages.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said locking ring is a split ring and said securing means bridges said split to tension said locking ring on said bearing sleeve. 